The Longest Johns – Wellerman (Ukulele)

Capo 3

Key

Versions (4)

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Chords

[Verse 1]

       Am
There once was a ship that put to sea

        Dm                        Am
And the name of that ship was the Billy o' Tea

                         Dm
The winds blew hard, her bow dipped down

Dm       E7          Am
Blow, me bully boys, blow (Huh!)

[Chorus]

F              C
Soon may the Wellerman come

     Dm                  Am
To bring us sugar and tea and rum

 F                    C
One day, when the tonguin' is done

      Dm       E7        Am
We'll take our leave and go

[Verse 2]

    Am
She had not been two weeks from shore

     Dm             Am
When down on her a right whale bore

                       Dm
The captain called all hands and swore

     Dm        E7       Am
He'd take that whale in tow (Hah!)

[Chorus]

 F             C
Soon may the Wellerman come

    Dm                   Am
To bring us sugar and tea and rum

F                  C
One day, when the tonguin' is done

      Dm       E7        Am
We'll take our leave and go

[Verse 3]

  Am
Before the boat had hit the water

    Dm                Am
The whale's tail came up and caught her

All hands to the side, harpooned and fought her

     Dm        E7      Am
When she dived down below (Huh!)

[Chorus]

F              C
Soon may the Wellerman come

 Dm                   Am
To bring us sugar and tea and rum

F                 C
One day, when the tonguin' is done

      Dm       E7        Am
We'll take our leave and go

[Verse 4]

Am
No line was cut, no whale was freed;

    Dm                 Am
The Captain's mind was not on greed

                       Dm
But he belonged to the whaleman's creed;

    Dm        E7      Am
She took that ship in tow (Huh!)

[Chorus]

F             C
Soon may the Wellerman come

      Dm                Am
To bring us sugar and tea and rum

F                   C
One day, when the tonguin' is done

      Dm       E7        Am
We'll take our leave and go

[Verse 5]

     Am
For forty days, or even more

     Dm                    Am
The line went slack, then tight once more

All boats were lost, there were only four

     Dm        E7        Am
But still that whale did go

[Chorus]

F             C
Soon may the Wellerman come

 Dm                    Am
To bring us sugar and tea and rum

 F                 C
One day, when the tonguin' is done

      Dm       E7        Am
We'll take our leave and go

[Verse 6]

 Am
As far as I've heard, the fight's still on;

    Dm                     Am
The line's not cut and the whale's not gone

    Am                     Dm
The Wellerman makes his a regular call

       Dm        E7       Am
To encourage the Captain, crew, and all

[Chorus]

 F            C
Soon may the Wellerman come

     Dm                Am
To bring us sugar and tea and rum

F                 C
One day, when the tonguin' is done

      Dm       E7        Am
We'll take our leave and go

F              C
Soon may the Wellerman come

     Dm                 Am
To bring us sugar and tea and rum

 F                   C
One day, when the tonguin' is done

      Dm       E7        Am
We'll take our leave and go